ELECTRONIC ELECTRIC METER FOR NETWORKED METER READING
First Claim
1. A portion of a commodity monitoring network having a commodity provider for providing a commodity, the portion comprising:
- a measuring device for measuring a utilization characteristic of the commodity provided by the commodity provider through the measuring device, generating utilization data based on the characteristic, and communicating the utilization data, the measuring device includinga sensor to sense an aspect of the commodity, the characteristic being based on the sensed aspect,a programmable module to generate the utilization data, anda communication module to receive the utilization data and transmit a message including the utilization data, the communication module configured to support multiple interfaces including at least one of a power line carrier (PLC) interface, a personal communication services (PCS) interface, and a wireless local area network (LAN) interface; and
a node to receive a message including the utilization data.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic electric meter for use in a networked automatic meter reading environment. The electric meter retrofits into existing meter sockets and is available for new meter installations for both single phase and three phase electric power connections. The electric meter utilizes a modular design which allows the interface modules to be changed depending upon the desired communication network interface. The meter measures electricity usage and monitors power quality parameters for transmission to the utility. The gateway node transmits this data to the utility over a commercially available fixed wide area network (WAN). The meter also provides direct communication to the utility over a commercially available network interface that plugs into the meter'"'"'s backplane or bus system bypassing the local area network communication link and gateway node.
85 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A portion of a commodity monitoring network having a commodity provider for providing a commodity, the portion comprising:
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a measuring device for measuring a utilization characteristic of the commodity provided by the commodity provider through the measuring device, generating utilization data based on the characteristic, and communicating the utilization data, the measuring device including a sensor to sense an aspect of the commodity, the characteristic being based on the sensed aspect, a programmable module to generate the utilization data, and a communication module to receive the utilization data and transmit a message including the utilization data, the communication module configured to support multiple interfaces including at least one of a power line carrier (PLC) interface, a personal communication services (PCS) interface, and a wireless local area network (LAN) interface; and a node to receive a message including the utilization data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification